Nursing Home Disregards Doctor’s Orders, Resident Chokes to Death

A resident of the Mahnomen Health Center died because the nursing home failed to follow his doctor’s orders, according to a resport by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The resident required pureed food only because of his risk of choking on solid food. According to the report, the Minnesota Department of Health investigated and found that the nursing home was negligent by serving the resident a tuna sandwich, which lodged in his throat.

According to the report, the nursing home’s director of nursing, Rachel Tuenge, refused to discuss the specifics of what happened, but claimed that the facility “made the necessary changes in [its] policies.”

At the Kosieradzki Smith Law Firm, we have seen this type of neglect over and over again. Residents of care facilities who require pureed diets depend on the facility staff to be compentent, attentive and vigilent to ensure the safety of these vulnerable residents. Unfortunately, some owners and operators of such facilities cut corners on how they staff their facilities. When care facilities put profits over safety, the quality of care is directly impacted. If you have been let down by a care facility that cared more about its budget that its residents, contact the Kosieradzki Smith Law Firm online or toll free at (877) 552-2873 for a free initial consultation.